Application of ultrasonic atomization in a combined circulation system of spray evaporative cooling and air cooling for electric machines

Abstract

A combined circulation system of spray evaporative cooling and air cooling (CCSSECAC) is a way to enhance the cooling performance of an air-cooled electric machine while maintaining its existing structure. Based on a traditional air-cooled machine, when the discrete evaporative cooling medium particles are scattered into the airflow, they will reach the heat source with the air circula-tion. The cooling capacity of the cooling system is enhanced simultaneously through the phase transition and convection heat transfer. Ultrasonic atomization is a simple way to produce tiny droplets and a good way to improve the performance of CCSSECAC. To verify the effectiveness of such a system, a principle test model was built and a multi-operational condition experiment was carried out as an exploratory study. The experimental results showed that the new cooling system was fea-sible for horizontal machines, and the stator coil temperature was significantly reduced compared with the air-cooled mode.